Shell and Baker Hughes today announced a software license and joint development agreement to produce a high-end platform for geological and reservoir modelling. The new platform will bring enhanced evaluation and visualization capabilities to Shell allowing geoscience and petroleum engineering experts to better plan and manage the extraction of oil and gas resources, realizing their full potential.

“High-quality modelling of complex reservoirs is a major factor in creating additional value in our industry,” said Arjen Dorland, Shell’s EVP for Technical and Competitive IT. “Today’s announcement underlines Shell’s commitment to developing innovative technologies that give us and our partners a competitive edge.”

The system will be optimized for resource modeling and production in tight/shale gas and liquids rich shale reservoirs, and is based on the Baker Hughes JewelEarth™ software platform, which has a strong track record of delivering integrated, data-driven workflows for optimizing these types of plays.

The world is now thought to have around 230 years of recoverable gas resources at current production levels – of which roughly half is tight gas, shale gas, and coalbed methane. Shell is producing these gas resources in locations including the US, China and Australia.

The new platform will complement Shell’s existing applications, including GeoSigns, Shell’s proprietary software used to visualize and interpret seismic data, and will form part of an integrated working environment for Shell’s exploration and modelling experts.

Enquiries

Shell International Media Relations: +44 20 7934 5550

Notes to editors

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects.

Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. The company's 59,000-plus employees today work in more than 80 countries helping customers find, evaluate, drill, produce, transport and process hydrocarbon resources. For more information on Baker Hughes' century-long history, visit:www.bakerhughes.com.